Photo and Film for Quinceañeras in Mesa, From Mass to Last Dance

Quinceañera Traditions We Photograph and Film in Mesa

We photograph and film every tradition your family puts on the program, in the order it happens and within your package's continuous hours.

• Mass or religious ceremony. Arriving at church, the blessing, and your daughter at the altar with her parents and godparents.
• Grand entrance. Your daughter's presentation at the hall with her court of honor.
• Waltz. Her dance with her dad, her chambelanes and the family members you choose.
• Shoe ceremony and crowning. These last a few minutes, so we stay close for the hands, her face and the family's reaction.
• Last doll. If your family includes this tradition, we cover it like any other moment on the program.
• Toast. Words from parents and godparents, and the guests' reactions.
• Surprise dance. We film the routine and photograph its best moments.
• Court of honor. Group portraits with damas and chambelanes, plus the family photos.

None of these moments happen twice. That is why we ask for your timeline one month before the event, and for any change in writing.

How the Pre-Event Photo Session in Every Package Works

Every quinceañera package includes a one-hour pre-event photo session with your daughter in her gown. We schedule it at least two weeks before the party, so you have the photos in time.

We pick the hour by the light. Arizona's midday sun is harsh, and the softest light comes in the last hour of the afternoon. Over the years we learned that outdoor sessions run on minutes: lose half an hour and you lose that light, and the session is no longer the one you planned. So we set the time with the family and explain why we chose it.

If your daughter or anyone in the session is under 18, an adult from the family must be there for the whole session. Without an adult present, we can't start. Not sure where to shoot? See our quinceañera photo locations in Mesa.

If you only want the portraits, without party coverage, see the quinceañera photo session, booked on its own.

Two Quinceañeras at One Party or a Surprise: Tell Us Before the Date

If two girls celebrate their quinceañeras at the same party, tell us when you book. Our contract covers the guest of honor it names, and covering a second one well takes an agreement in advance and, almost always, an additional photographer or videographer.

We learned this at a party where, once we were at the hall, the family asked us to cover three cousins turning 15 together. We agreed and asked that the shoe ceremonies and crownings happen one at a time. When the moment came, all three happened at once, in different spots. A locked-off video camera saved the video, but a still camera can't be in three places. Since then we plan the crew before the day, not during the party.

Surprises work the same way: at another quinceañera we were told about one surprise and three arrived, with no timeline. Keep the surprise from your daughter and your guests, but tell the team. With cameras in place, we catch the entrance and, at the same time, the faces of everyone who didn't know.

Additional crew must be booked by your final payment date, one month before the event, and never for more hours than your package.

Why One Team for Quinceañera Photos and Video Works Better

When the photographer and videographer work together, your daughter looks the same in the photos and the video, and you deal with one team, one contract and one payment plan. Before the Mass and the waltz, they agree on who stands where, so they don't block each other or distract anyone.

Cristobal Varela (opens in a new tab), Co-founder and Director of Photography; Sonia Varela (opens in a new tab), Co-founder and Director of Videography; and Melanie Rocha (opens in a new tab), Founding Director and Director of Creative and Social, set the style, train our photographers and videographers, and review every delivery. Meet our team.

Quinceañera Photo and Video Prices in Mesa

All three quinceañera packages include a photographer, a videographer and the pre-event photo session. Prices are the same for weddings and quinceañeras.

A $500 deposit holds your date, and you pay the rest in installments, paid in full one month before the event. Hours are continuous, so the drive from church to the hall counts within them. See everything each one includes in our quinceañera photo and video packages.

There is no travel fee within 50 driving miles of Tempe, Arizona (I-10 and US-60), and all of Mesa is inside that range. Beyond it, travel is quoted on the full driving distance and agreed in writing before the date.

If you only need photos or only need video, see photography only or video only. Those packages don't include the pre-event photo session.

Real Quinceañeras We Covered in Mesa and Tempe

Here are four quinceañeras we covered, with the real city of each part of the day.

• Shiomara had her session at The Wright House and her Mass at San Maximiliano Kolbe, both in Mesa, and her party at Eduardo's Reception Hall in Mesa.
• Emily had her session at The Wright House in Mesa, and her ceremony and party at Eduardo's Reception Hall in Mesa.
• Abbigail had her session at Papago Park in Tempe, and her Mass at Queen of Peace and her party at Sahara Reception Hall, both in Mesa. Her coverage was photography only.
• Stacey had her session at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, and her Mass at Queen of Peace and her party at Versalles Reception Hall, both in Mesa.

See more in our Mesa quinceañera portfolio.

Churches, Halls and Vendors for Quinceañeras in Mesa

We have worked at Mesa churches and halls such as San Maximiliano Kolbe, Queen of Peace, Sahara Reception Hall, Versalles Reception Hall, Villa Tuscana and Garden Tuscana.

• Still looking for a hall? Read our guide to event venues in Mesa.
• For the other services your party needs, see our list of quinceañera vendors in Mesa.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quinceañera Photo and Video in Mesa